AuroraCast / Best month / Jukkasjärvi

Best month to see the northern lights in Jukkasjärvi

Planning a trip to Jukkasjärvi, Sweden for the aurora? Here's the month-by-month guide. The best months are September, October, February, March. Looking for tonight's odds instead? →

Month-by-month viewing quality

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
MonthViewingWhy
January Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
February Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
March Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
April Marginal Short nights at the season edge
May No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
June No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
July No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
August Marginal Short nights at the season edge
September Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
October Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
November Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
December Peak Long dark nights + peak activity

Why these months?

Two things decide your odds in Jukkasjärvi: darkness and activity. You need real darkness — so the bright midnight-sun months are out no matter how strong the aurora is. On top of that, geomagnetic storms run statistically stronger around the spring and autumn equinoxes (the Russell–McPherron effect), which is why September and October and February and March tend to edge out the dead of winter. Jukkasjärvi's season runs late september to late march.

Jukkasjärvi is the tiny village on the Torne River famous for the original ICEHOTEL — sleep on a carved-ice bed and step outside to the lights.

Where to stand in Jukkasjärvi

The frozen Torne River and the ICEHOTEL grounds are right there; for darker skies, join a snowmobile or sled tour out of the village.

Tours & stays to book

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Northern lights tours from Jukkasjärvi

Viator · guided tours · from $99

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Aurora chases & photo tours in Jukkasjärvi

GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $99

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Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Jukkasjärvi

Booking.com · lodging

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This guide is built from each month’s dark-hours and the long-run seasonal pattern of aurora activity — it tells you when the odds are best, not what any single night will do. Aurora viewing is never guaranteed. Our method & sources.